STANDARDS FOR RANGELAND HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR ROUND
MOUNTAIN ALLOTMENT #0211
Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management
(BLM, 1997)
Introduction
The Range Reform '94 Record of Decision (BLM,1995a) recently amended current grazing
administration and management practices. The ROD required that region-specific standards
and guidelines be developed and approved by the Secretary of the Interior. In the State of
Oregon, several Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) were established to develop these
regional standards and guidelines. The RAC established for the part of the state covering the
Beaty Butte allotment is the southeastern Oregon RAC. These standards and guidelines for
Oregon and Washington were finalized on August 12, 1997 and include:
Standard 1 - Upland Watershed Function
Upland soils exhibit infiltration and permeability rates, moisture storage, and stability
that are appropriate to soil, climate, and landform.
Standard 2 - RiparianlWetland Watershed Function
Riparian-wetland areas are in properly functioning physical condition appropriate to
soil, climate, and landform.
Standard 3 - Ecological Processes
Healthy, productive, and diverse plant and animal populations and communities
appropriate to soil, climate, and landform are supported by ecological processes of
nutrient cycling, energy flow, and the hydrologic cycle.
Standard 4 - Water Quality
Surface water and groundwater quality, influenced by agency actions, complies with
State water quality standards.
Standard 5 - Native, T&E, and Locally Important Species
Habitats support healthy, productive, and diverse populations and communities of
native plants and animals (including special status species and species of local
importance) appropriate to soil, climate, and landform.
RANGELAND HEALTH STANDARDS - ASSESSMENT -ROUND MOUNTAIN
ALLOTMENT #0211
-
STANDARD 1 UPLAND WATERSHED
This standard is being met on the allotment. The indicators used to evaluate this standard are Soil Surface Factor (SSF), which documents accelerated erosion; and plant community composition, which indicates root occupancy of the soil profile. Soil Surface Factor (SSF) is an indicator of accelerated erosion and is a method of documenting observations regarding erosion. Of the 17,970 acres in Round Mountain Allotment, 2,119 (12%) have an SSF rating of stable and 15,403 acres (86%) are rated as Slight. These ratings indicate the two lowest levels of erosion in this methodology. The remaining 448 acres are unknown. A copy of the form used to document SSF is attached (Appendix A, "Determination of Erosion Condition Classu). Another indicator of Upland Watershed condition is plant composition and community structure. Current plant composition is compared to a defined Potential Natural Plant Community for the identified soil type and precipitation zone. Using the 1988 Ecological Site Inventory, the percent of the allotment in each seral stage is summarized in the table below. As can be seen most of the allotment is in the Mid seral (70%) or Late Sera1 stage (13%). Therefore the plant composition and community structure is healthy. * The unknown acres are the inclusions within a vegetation
community that include transition areas and plant communities too
small to be mapped separately.
The Observed Apparent Trend (Appendix B ) determined during the
ESI and summarized in the Biological Evaluation (1994) showed an upward trend on 26% of the allotment and static trend on 71% of the allotment. The Allotment Evaluation (1992) determined the trend to be static when considering the photo trend stations, the step-toe transect and the professional judgement of the resource specialists. STANDARD 2 - RIPARIAN/WETLAND
This standard is not being met because some stream reaches are not in Proper Functioning Condition (PFC). However the current management of livestock is resulting in significant progress towards meeting the goal. Lotic Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) site inventories were completed in 1996 on Twelvemile, Fifteenmile and Twentymile Creeks. The following table summarizes the non-PFC reach locations and their management status. *
NF
-
STREAM
REACH
Twelvemile
Lower
NF*
Exclusion Twelvemile
Nevada
NF
Exclusion Twelvemile
Nevada
Fifteenmile
Huff and
watergap
Non-Functional
PFC
RATING MANAGEMENT FAR
Exclusion **Trend UP FAR Trend
3 Pasture Rest Rotation with up 1.45
miles
riparian use limits **FAR --Functionalat Risk
The Twelvemile Creek reaches have been excluded from authorized grazing since 1980 and have been effectively excluded from grazing since 1994. The Fifteenmile reaches are being managed under consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on effects of grazing on the Threatened Warner Sucker. While the existing conditions are largely a result of past grazing practices, current management of livestock is resulting in significant progress towards meeting the goal. STANDARD 3 - ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES
This standard is being met. The Observed Apparent Trend as described in Standard 1 is static or upward on 98% of the allotment. There is one trend study transect in the West pasture of the allotment and the data is summarized below. This trend study is in the big sagebrush/Thurber's needlegrass community in the northern part of the pasture. This is not only the largest vegetation community in the northern part of the pasture but also represents a key area that is consistly grazed by cattle. Therefore the trend data shouldindicate what impacts grazing is having on this important vegetation community. The data shows an increase in vegetation cover during the eight years. There also appears to be an increase in Thurber's needlegrass (STTH) and Idaho fescue (FEID), both desirable grasses. It would appear the trend for this site is at least static (1992. Allotment Evaluation) and may be upward (1988 ESI). The photo trend stations within the allotment (7 stations) were evaluated in the 1992 Allotment Evaluation and the trend was determined to be static The Round Mountain Allotment (0211) supports most of the terrestrial animals common to the sagebrush steppe in the Great Basin. The allotment provides habitat for huntable populations of mule deer, pronghorn antelope, Rocky Mountain elk, and sage grouse. There is currently no major competition between wildlife and domestic livestock for forage, either early green-up grasses and forbs or winter browse such as antelope bitterbrush and curl- leaf mountain mahogany. Two-thirds of the Round Mountain Allotment lies within ODFW's Warner Big Game Management Unit and one-third lies within the Beaty Butte Management Unit for deer, pronghorn antelope, and elk. Current populations are slightly below management objectives for mule deer and substantially below that proposed for elk. The entire allotment lies within crucial mule deer winter range and portions of the allotment are used by elk throughout the entire year. The allotment also contains marginal habitat for pronghorn antelope and sage grouse and supports small numbers of each species year-round, however, no crucial habitat has been identified for either species. STANDARD 4 - WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
This standard is not being met, but the current management of livestock is resulting in significant progress towards meeting the goal. Twentymile, Twelvemile and Fifteenmile Creeks from the mouth to the headwaters do not meet state standards for temperature. Twelvemile Creek on the BLM is excluded from grazing so livestock use is no longer a causative factor in not meeting the standard on this stream.
Twentymile Creek in this allotment is either excluded from grazing and/or is intermittent so livestock use is no longer a causative factor in not meeting the standard on this stream. Because of changes to grazing to better manage riparian vegetation, it is felt that current management of livestock is resulting in significant progress towards meeting the goal. STANDARD 5 - NATIVE, T&E, and LOCALLY IMPORTANT SPECIES
This standard is being met. The deer, elk, and pronghorn
populations are healthy and increasing in number within the
allotment - habitat quantity and quality do not appear to be
limiting population size or health. Coyote predation is thought
to be depressing mule deer recruitment, however, populations
continue to fluctuate at or slightly below ODFW's Management
Objective for the unit. A general hunt season is slowing the
population expansion of elk within the two units.
Big game habitat within the Round Mountain Allotment is monitored via 12 browse (bitterbrush) transects. The condition of the extensive bitterbrush stands within the allotment demonstrates what years of fire suppression, previous livestock grazing practices, and high deer numbers in the past does to mule deer winter range. There are numerous decadent or dead bitterbrush plants within the allotment which are still providing valuable forage and cover for wintering deer, however, recruitment of young plants varies from virtually none within some transects to fairly descent in others. Overall the studies show some improvement in bitterbrush vigor and stand replacement over the past 10-15 years. The habitat provided within the allotment is crucial to wintering
deer in that it adjoins with winter range on the forest to the
west and to BLM - administered winter range to the north and
south. It provides habitat connectivity, as well as, a spatial
distribution of lower elevation range critical during high
snowfall years.
The allotment also provides habitat for numerous small and nongame birds and mammals common to the Great Basin, as well as, sage grouse habitat though marginal. The allotment also provides habitat for raptors and some BLM and state sensitive wildlife species and federally listed species. No critical habitat or limitations have been identified for any of these species which include wintering bald eagles, and possibly pygmy rabbits and various sensitive bat species. The Warner sucker is listed as a Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act. There is no occupied habitat currently being grazed in the allotment. Because Fifteenmile Creek flows into occupied habitat less than a mile below the grazed pasture, it was determined in Section 7 consultation that grazing was having an adverse effect on suckers. This effect has been minimized by restrictions placed on riparian grazing and the Service issued a Biological Opinion to authorize take" of the species. Warner red-band trout, a Bureau Sensitive Species is found in Twelvemile and Fifteenmile Creek in the allotment. Their populations appear to be strong in both creeks. Noxious weeds are known to occur in the allotment. Weeds are concentrated along travel routes, riparian areas, and waterholes. The rest rotation system will allow for control of the current weeds and will minimize the potential of weed populations increasing due to pressure on the native plant community during periods of cattle use. Special Status Plants: Boggs Lake hedge-hyssop: (Gratiola heterosewala Status: BLM Bureau Sensitive Species, Oregon Natural Heritage Program List 1 (Taxa which are endangered or threatened throughout their range), Global 1 and State 1. Current Situation: Boggs Lake hedge-hyssop is found on a waterhole and is known to grow in only this one site in Oregon. Outside of Oregon, the species occurs in California. The habitat for the species is vernally wet ponds (natural or human made). Additional inventories have not found Gratiola heterosewala elsewhere in Oregon. In order to evaluate livestock use at the site and its effects on the Boggs Lake hedge-hyssop, a fence was built to allow monitoring both within the fence and outside. The study site was altered by silt build-up in the pond. This problem was corrected and the study will now begin again in 1999. Current Management and Recent Management Changes
The current management is a three pasture rest rotation system and the Allotment
Management Plan has been in place since 1970 with revisions in 1973 and 1982. There was
an allotment evaluation in 1990 and no changes in the grazing allocation or the season of use
were made. There was a Biological Evaluation completed in 1994 and a Biological Opinion
issued by the USFWS that the proposed grazing authorizations in the North and West pastures
are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the threatened Warner sucker or result
in the destruction or adverse modification of its designated critical habitat.
Team Members
Les Boothe
Alan Munhall
Vern Stofleth
Lucile Housley
Walt Devaurs
Bill Cannon
Dick Mayberry
Robert Hopper
Erin McConnell
Title
Range Management Specialist
Fishery Biologist
Wildlife Biologist
Botantist
Wildlife Biologist
Archaeologist
Supervisory NRS
Supervisory RMS
Weed Management Specialist
Determination
Existing grazing management practices or levels of grazing use on the Round
Mountain Allotment promote achievement of significant progress towards the Oregon
Standards for Rangeland Health and conform with the Guidelines for Livestock
Grazing Management.
()
Existing grazing management practices or levels of grazing use on the Round
Mountain Allotment will require modification or change prior to the next grazing
season to promote achievement of the Oregon Standards for Rangeland Health and
conform with the Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management.
/ll4l~"r
Scott Florence
Area Manager, Lakeview Resource Area
Date
Appendix A. DETERMINATION OF EROSION CONDITION CLASS Soil Surface Factors MOVEMENT
No visable
evidence of
movement
Some move men^ of
soils particles
SURFACE
Accumulating in
movement
0
SURFACE ROCK
6
3
Subsoil exposed over much of area, may have embryonic dunes and wind scoured dunes Mode~atemovement is
apparent, deposited
against obstacles
7
8
Extreme movemenL apparent,
large and numerous deposits
against obstacles
9
10
I1
Very little remaining (use
care on low productive s i t e s )
13
14
If present, fragments
have a poorly
developed
distribution pattern
caused by wind or
water
If present, surface rock or
fragments exhibit some
movement and accumulation
of sn~aller fragments behlnd
obstacles
If present, surface lock or fragments or dissected by rills and gullies or are already washed away No visable
evidence of
pedestalling
Slight
pedestalling, in
flow patterns
Small rock and plant
pedestals occu~ing in
flow patterns
Rocks and plants on
pedestals generally
evident, plant roots
exposed
10
11
Most rocks and plants pedestallea and roots exposed 1
2
1
3
5
4
-
6
-
I(_sac
evldence of flow
patterns
Deposition of
particles may be
in evidence
No visable
evidence of
rills.
Some rills in
evidence at
infrequent
intervals over
10' .
4
5
1
2
3
7
1
6
A few gullies in
evidence which
show little bed or
slope erosion.
Some vegetation
present on slopes.
May be present
in stable
condition.
Vegetation on
channel bed and
side slopes
3
8
9
well definid, s m a l l ,
Flow patterns contain silt
and few with
and sand deposits and
intermittent deposits ' alluvia? fans
Flow patterns are numerous and readily noticeable. May have large barren c fan deposits Rills K" to b ' ! deep
occur in exposed
places at
approximately 10'
intervals.
7
8
9
Rills $4'' to 6" deep occur
in exposed area at
intervals of 5 to 10".
May be present at 3" to 6" deep at intervals less than Gullies are we1 1
developed with active
erosion along less
than 10% of their
length. Some
vegetation may be
present.
Sharply incised gullles cover Gullies are numerous and most of the area and over 50% well devloped with active are actively eroding. erosion along 10.50% of their lengths or a few well developed gullies with active erosion along more than 50% of their length
10
1i
12
C, 2
SITUATION
12
If present, course
fragments ahve a
truncated
appearance or
spotty
distribution
caused by wind or
water
3
4
5
0
GULLIES
2
Occurs with each event.
Soil and Debris deposited
against minor obstructions
If present, the
distribution of
fragments show
no movement
caused by wind
or water.
0
RILLS 1
Moderate Movement of
soil is visable and
recent Slight
terracing generally
less than 1" in
height
7
8
6
7
8
9
5'. 13
TOTAL Erosion Condition Classes: stable 0-20: Slight 21-40: Moderate 41-60: Critical 61-80: Severe 81 100 14
15 Appendix B.
OBSERVED APPARENT TREND (Check appropriate box in each category which best fits area being observed) VIGOR
Desirable grasses, forbs and shrubs are vigorous, showing good health. These plants should have good size, color and produce abundant herbage. (10
Points)
(6 Points) ( 2 Points) Desirable grasses, forbs
They are medium size with fair color and producing moderate
amounts of herbage, some seed stalks and seedheads are
present.
I I
SEEDLINGS
(10
Points)
Desirable grasses, forbs and shrubs have low vigor. They
appear unhealthy with small size and Door color.Portions of ci;mps or entire plants are dead or dGing. Seed stalks and seedheads almost non-existent except in protected areas. There is seedling establishment of desirable grasses, forbs
and shrubs. Seedlings are present in open spaces between
plants and along edges of soil pedestals. Few seedlings of
invader or undesirable plants are present. -
-
-
-
p
p
p
p
p
p
-
( 6 Points) Some seedlings of desirable grasses, forbs and shrubs may or
may not be present in open spaces between plants. Some
seedlings of invader or undesirable plant species may or may
not be present.
(2 Points) Few if any seedlings of desirable grasses, forbs and shrubs
are being established. Seedlings of invaders or undesirable
should be present in open space between plants.
SURFACE LITTER Surface litter is accumulating in place. (3 P o i n t s ) Moderate movement of surface litter is apparent and deposited against obstacles. p
p
p
p
-
-
-
Very little surface litter is remaining. I
(5 Points) There is little visual evidence of pedestalling. Those pedestals are sloping or rounding and accumulating litter. Desirable forage grasses may be found along edges of pedestals. 1
-
(3 P o i n t s ) Moderate plant pedestalling. No visual evidence of healing or deterioration. Small rock and plant pedestals may be occurring in flow patterns. (1 P o i n t )
Most rocks and plants are pedestalled. Pedestals are sharped
sided and eroding often exposing qrass roots.
GULLIES
(5 P o i n t s )
Gullies may be present in stable condition with moderate
sloping or rounded sides. Perennials should be establishing
themselves on bottom and sides of channel.
(3 P o i n t s ) Gullies are well developed with small amounts of active erosion. Some vegetation may be present. (1 P o i n t ) Sharply incised V-shaped gullies cover most of the area with
most of the gullies actively eroding. Gullies are mostly
devoid of perennial plants with fresh cutting of the bottom.
L
TOTAL POINTS Rating 26-35-Upward; 17-25-Static; 7-16-Downward Frequency/Pace Toe Point Summary PERCENT COVER YEAR 1986 1989 1994 BAREGROUND 27% 39% 31% ROCK 4% 0 0 LITTER 58% 35% 39% VEGETATION 11% 26% 30% SPECIES SIHY 2% 4% 3% STTH 1% 2% 6% FEID 0 1% 1% POSE 3% 6% 9% ARTR 2% 4% 4% PUTR 3% 4% 3% RELATIVE FREQUENCY BY SPECIES
SIHY 33%
28%
21%
STTH 10%
13%
17%
FEID 2%
1%
6%
POSE 17%
35%
27%
ARTR 15%
12%
13%
PUTR 12%
7%
6%